The centrepiece of Beale Park is the Pavilion, designed by the Park’s founder, Gilbert Beale, and built in 1956.

Overlooking the Jubilee Water Gardens and the charging horse called The Valkyrie the Pavilion dominates the Park’s landscape.

Built originally in remembrance of Gilbert’s parents, the Pavilion is now a fitting tribute to a man who had a passion for the art form and beauty of sculpture and who chose to share his land with the public by creating the Child Beale Trust.

When Gilbert died in 1967, aged 99, his great nephew, Richard Howard took over the responsibility of running Beale Park, part of the Child Beale Trust.

With Richard’s love of model boats and planes, coupled with his desire to conserve and share his unique collection with our visitors, the Pavilion became a museum, and now displays more than 400 models.

Having started his collection over forty years ago, the Pavilion is home to some interesting models, including a representative collection from the Merchant Navy and sailing boats dating back to the 1890’s.

Among the collection is a model of HMS Vanguard, kindly on loan to the Park and built by Alex McFadyen. The model is a replica of the original ship, built by John Brown’s Shipyard at Clydebank, Glasgow in 1946.

The Park is happy to accept donations to its model collection.  For more information please contact the Park on: 0844 826 1761.